US Bridges

County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal

PoorPosted for load

Bent County, Colorado · 1.3 MI N of SH 194 · Structure no. BT8-8-32.4-16A

Built
1987
38 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2024
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
89 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal in Bent County, Colorado. It was built in 1987, so it is 38 years old, younger than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 1 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1 by 2042. The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long and 9 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 100 mi (161 km).

Location

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CarriesCounty Road 8
CrossesFt. Lyon Canal
Location1.3 MI N of SH 194
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBent County
StateColorado
Coordinates38.10517, -103.27119
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating9.4 US tons
Inventory rating5.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckSteel plate
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length89 ft (27.1 m)
Longest span72 ft (22 m)
Deck width9 ft (2.8 m)
Roadway width8 ft (2.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1 (2022)
Projected traffic1 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed100 mi (161 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.7 million (2020 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal built?

It was built in 1987, making it 38 years old in 2025.

What condition is County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

How much traffic does County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal carry?

About 1 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

The structure is 89 ft (27.1 m) long with a longest span of 72 ft (22 m) and a deck 9 ft wide.

Who owns County Road 8 over Ft. Lyon Canal?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.